Chapter 2 - Memories (1/2)
The Lewis and the Smith's were all time friends. The wives were best of friends since childhood. While their husbands were buddies from High School.
Annie came from a humble family. She was half korean and half american. Her mother was korean. Annie and Jenny met when they were kids. They went to the same elementary school together. There, they built up their friendship that would last a very long time.
Jenny was the madam of the Smith Mansion. Before this, she was the little princess of her father. They we're well off but still remained humble. That's why Jenny's father had allowed her daughter go to a public school in elementary.
Annie and Jenny parted ways in middle School. Jenny's family moved out of state and Annie stayed. Even then, they didn't lost contact. They promised to remain best of friends until they grew old. They even jokingly said to marry their kids. Those were their memories.
When Jenny was on college doing her BSBA, she met her husband Malcolm Smith. He was the son of a conglomerate. Jenny and Malcolm have outgoing personalities. While Annie was not as much. So Malcolm recommended his buddy Ted to Jenny, for Annie. He was outspoken yet driven. He thought it was a perfect match.
Ted Lewis was the son of a governor on their state. Not as rich as the Smiths but was still wealthy.
Jenny had met him before and thought that Ted was indeed a good man for her friend. Ted was serious on everything he does, like his father. So Jenny and Malcolm decided to match-make them. Later on, it turned out fruitful.
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The first to get married was the Smith's. They had their baby Malcolm Smith Jr. at the age of 24. While the Lewis got married at 24 and had April at 25.
Malcolm inherited his father's business while Ted didn't wanna be a politician. Instead he built his own company with Malcolm's help.
The husbands didn't let their wives work and made them take care of the kids instead. So Annie and Jenny decided to live in the same state. So both of their families grow together.
As the kids grew up, Colm and April got along well and became close friends, just like them. The parents even thought of marrying them together but decided not to. If the kids did fall in love with one other, it'll be such a good blessing. If not, they wouldn't force them at all.
When Colm was 5 years old, Jenny got pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. They named her Milly Smith. Unfortunately, Annie couldn't get pregnant anymore. She had a complicated pregnancy when she was pregnant with April. When she gave birth to April, Ted decided to remove her uterus. Afraid that he'll lose his wife when she gets pregnant again.
Annie was sad about it but she was already happy to have April. April was very bright and fearless kid. She often acts like the big sister of Colm. They were inseparable. They looked too cute to look at, holding hands while walking or playing.
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By the age of 10, Colm and April got kidnapped. In the first few months, No Ransom demands came in. The Smiths and the Lewis was frantic the whole time. Time was ticking and they didn't know who took their children. This made a huge news in the US. Since the Smiths were high profiles. But even with the FBI's help and the Smith's connection, they didn't have any luck in finding them.
It took 6 months before they got a contact regarding Colm. It made sense that no matter what efforts they have done, they just couldn't find them in the US.
Colm had turned himself in to the German Police Station with bruises and tattered clothes. No signs of April. By the time the Smiths and the Lewis came, Colm was in custody of the US Embassy in Germany.
Colm didn't speak the whole time that he was in custody except to identify himself, his parents and where he lives. That's how the police station got a hold of finding his parents.